Abu Haggag Mosque
مسجد أبو الحجاج بالأقصر
Religion
AffiliationIslam
DeityRamesses II (formerly)
BhattarakaAs-Salih Ayyub
PatronYusuf Abu al-Haggag
Location
LocationLuxor, Egypt
CountryEgypt
Abu Haggag Mosque is located in Egypt
Abu Haggag Mosque
Shown within Egypt
Geographic coordinates25°42′00″N 32°38′22″E / 25.70000°N 32.63944°E / 25.70000; 32.63944
Architecture
TypeMosque
StyleFatimid
FounderAs-Salih Ayyub
Date established13th century
Completed13th century, renovations in 2009
Specifications
Dome(s)1
Minaret(s)2
Temple(s)1 (mosque is built within temple compound)
Shrine(s)1

The Mosque of Abu Haggag (Arabic: مسجد أبو الحجاج بالأقصر) is a mosque in Luxor, Egypt. It contains the tomb of Sheikh Yusuf Abu al-Haggag, after whom the mosque is named.[1] The mosque is integrated into the structure of Luxor Temple, an Ancient Egyptian centre of worship, making it one of the oldest continuously used temples in the world, dating back to the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep III in the 14th century BC.[2]

History

The mosque was built during the Ayyubid era of Egypt, specifically during the reign of As-Salih Najm al-Din Ayyub. It was built on the site of a demolished basilica located within the premises of the Luxor Temple.[3]

In 2009, the mosque underwent restoration efforts. It took two years under the supervision of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and its cost amounted to seven million Egyptian pounds. The new architecture included expanding the prayer square, strengthening the dome, and changing the ceilings, after the mosque was exposed to a fire in June 2007, and during that restoration. During construction, columns and lintels appeared bearing ancient Egyptian writings from the time of Pharaoh Ramesses II.[4]

Architecture

The mosque stands within the court of Ramesses II. This part of the Luxor Temple was converted to a basilica[3] by the Coptic Christians in 395 AD, and then to a mosque in 640. The site therefore has seen 3400 years of continuous religious use, making the Luxor Temple the oldest building in the world at least partially still in use, for purposes other than archeological or tourist use.[2]

One of the two minarets of the mosque.

The mosque has two minarets, made out of mud brick. The minarets are one of the oldest components of the current mosque. The older one consists of three floors; the first is square in shape, the second and third are cylindrical, and at the top is a group of windows and openings, and the square bottom part is reinforced with wooden columns.[5]

The tomb of Yusuf Abu al-Hajjaj is located under the dome of the mosque. The ceiling of this tomb chamber is composed of a base of irregular dimensions, which descends until it reaches the circular shape of the dome.[4]

Mawlid celebration

Boats paraded around the vicinity of the mosque in celebration of the Mawlid.

The annual birthday celebration, or Mawlid, of Yusuf Abu el-Haggag is celebrated in the mosque.[upper-alpha 1][6] The celebration culminates 15 days before Ramadan and attracts large numbers of pilgrims.[7] During this festival, a procession of boats parade around the temple, typically carried by the descendants of el-Haggag. These boats symbolise el-Haggag’s journey to Egypt.[7] Residents of Luxor dress up in colourful outfits and attend the mawlid festival for three days. Activities of the festival often include horse races, performances of sufi music, stick fights and boat rides. Inside the mosque, the descendants of el-Haggag hold a council known as Al-Dayem, raise religious chanting, sing prophetic praises and read the Qur’an.[8]

The celebrations bear a resemblance to Pharaonic rituals. Ahmed Abu Haggag, an organiser of the event, has stated: “The mawlid celebrations feature ancient rituals and customs that are greatly intertwined with the pharaonic festivals”.[8]

The celebration is habitually attended by those who hold significant governmental positions in Luxor.[9]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ The birthday is known as ‘Mawlid Abu al-Hajjaj al-Uqṣūrī’ in Arabic.

References

  1. ↑ "خطأ - بوابة الشروق". web.archive.org. 2020-03-09. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  2. 1 2 Fletcher, Joann (2013). The Search For Nefertiti. Hachette. p. 27. ISBN 9781444780543. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  3. 1 2 "The Mosque of Abu'l Haggag at Luxor Temple | Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures". isac.uchicago.edu. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  4. 1 2 "إكتشاف أعمدة ونقوش معبد الأقصر داخل جدران مسجد". web.archive.org. 2007-11-28. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  5. ↑ http://www.alkhaleej.ae/portal/31bc827a-6ac8-4e57-a28d-4a05d13e9d77.aspx
  6. ↑ Mahallati, Amar (2017-05-01). "Abu Haggag Mosque – The Mosque in the Heart of Luxor Temple". Egypt Tours Plus. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  7. 1 2 "Luxor Temple Abu'l Hajjaj Mosque Documentation". American Research Center in Egypt. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  8. 1 2 "Sufis celebrate birthday of Sheikh Abu El-Haggag at Luxor mosque". Arab News.
  9. ↑ "Luxor residents celebrate Mawlid Sidi Aboul Haggag". Egypt Independent. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
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